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Tuesday, June 7, 2005
Drug discount program goes nationwide
Copyright © 2005 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc. | ||
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The pharmaceutical industry's biggest trade group has taken a pilot program in Maine and other states and expanded it nationwide to provide free or nearly free prescriptions to a greater number of income-eligible people. More than 1,200 generic and brand-name drugs are available through the Partnership for Prescription Assistance. People can find out through the Internet or over the phone if they qualify and can apply for prescriptions. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America said the decision to go national in April was partly based on the success of the RxCaresForMe program, which has provided more than 30,000 prescriptions in Maine since it was launched in July 2003. In addition to Maine, the pilot program was introduced in eight other states. Sixty national organizations - such as the United Way of America, National Coalition for Homeless Veterans and the American Psychiatric Association - have endorsed the program as a way to help some of the neediest patients. But others say price-control initiatives by different states would help even more people, and that drug makers are trying to undermine those efforts by targeting states such as Maine. AARP Maine withheld its support when PhRMA introduced its program in Maine. At the time, the state was about to launch its own drug discount program, which the trade group had fought in court. In the last year, Maine also has been contemplating importing cheaper drugs from Canada, a move that's fiercely opposed by PhRMA. Dr. Judy Chamberlain at first was suspicious of PhRMA's intentions, she said at a press conference Monday at The Cedars residential community for seniors in Portland. But after seeing how it helped her patients, she said she couldn't find a downside. "This is a simple way to take all of the diverse programs that are out there and put it in one place for people to access," said Chamberlain, a family doctor in Brunswick and board member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Maine residents can continue to log onto www.rxcaresforme.org, or log onto the national Web site at www.pparx.org, where they will be redirected to the Maine site. If lacking computer access, they can call (888) 477-2669 toll-free to speak to someone. More than 275 public and private patient-assistance programs are part of the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, including Maine's drug discount program, Maine Rx Plus. At the Southern Maine Agency on Aging, educator Carol Rancourt said the PhRMA initiative is similar to existing assistance programs, such as BenefitsCheckUpRx, which covers more than 1,450 drugs. She said the PhRMA program may also help some people, but could disorient others by requiring them to fill out multiple applications for drugs made by different companies. "It's not simplified enough for the average, unwell older person to navigate on their own," Rancourt said. To promote the program, PhRMA on Monday brought a yellow bus called the "Help is Here Express" to The Cedars and Chamberlain's office in Brunswick. Staff Writer Josie Huang can be contacted at 791-6364 or at: jhuang@pressherald.com
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